Friday, February 20, 2009

Life's Lessons.

This past year and a half has been a real character builder for me. I have learned several life lessons, many of which seem to coincide with past advice my parents had given me. You know, when they try to instill upon you what it is they have learned during their lifetime and you think to yourself, “right, what do they know?” Turns out they knew a great deal. Unfortunately, I had to make my own mistakes to learn the life lessons; I couldn’t just take their word for it. I guess that’s really not a bad thing. That’s how I learn and grow as a person. While enduring the hardships of said growing pains I may not be aware that I am undergoing a personal transformation. It’s later on down the road when I am looking back that I realize that maybe I hadn’t made the best decision, but I learned a big life lesson in the process. And that makes it worthwhile. I have also begun to realize that in making mistakes we really get to know ourselves. We are all going to make mistakes. The important thing is what we choose to do after we make a mistake. How we decide to remedy the situation. You have heard the quote, “it’s not how you fall, its how you pick yourself up again afterward.” If we recognize that we made a poor decision, and we do whatever is necessary to make it right, then in the long run we are better for it.

As I get older I have learned to take on a different attitude while dealing with life’s tribulations. Instead of being angry with someone or with a situation, I try to look at what I can take from the ordeal. It hasn’t been an easy road getting to the point of being able to do this. Sometimes I wonder if I have become numb towards outward circumstances, but I would like to think that over time I have learned to see the big picture. I understand that life doesn’t always go as we had hoped or planned. But you just have to roll with the punches. While something may seem like the end of the world while you are going through it, it isn’t. Life, it goes on. Instead of being negative and dwelling on the situation, I take what I can from it, and try to keep moving forward. It’s not always easy. But as you practice it and implement this way of thinking, it slowly becomes easier. Things don’t seem to hurt as much. I don’t take things as personally as I once had. Instead, I do the only thing I can. I learn from it.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Stronger in the end...

So, last night as I was lying in bed wide-awake many things were racing through my mind. As of late I have been going through some stuff that I don't really care to get in to, but as I was thinking about these little tribulations I had a bit of an epiphany. I have pretty much determined that I am a bit lost right now. I'm happy; not stressed-out or anything. I am just having difficulties coming to grips with the fact that my life has no real sense of direction at the present moment. And honestly, it shouldn't. That's the point of me setting out and doing this whole traveling bit. But I still tend to think about what's next when I decide to move on from this point in my life. I guess I am having a bit of a hard time living in the moment. Anyway, back to my point. As I was thinking about everything that I have gone through in the past that has led-up to me being here, I have realized that I really don't know myself. I am living a facade. I feel that as I encounter life I respond to it in a way that society has programmed me to respond, not as I would respond. If that makes any sense... For example, while in past relationships, whenever I have experienced any sense of turmoil my immediate response is to say whatever it is I think the other party wants to hear. Not what I feel. I think this is more so the case when I am unsure of my feelings or unsure of what it is that I want, so I say whatever it is that I think the other party wants to hear until I figure out where I stand in the current dilemma. And sometimes it takes me a while to figure it out, if ever. So, I am not being honest to them or to myself. I am pretty sure I have hurt others in the process. And for this I feel awful. I really need to learn to listen to myself, to what it is that I want, and what it is that will make me happy. I need to learn to not be so concerned with appeasing others by telling them what it is that I think they want to hear, because the truth is always better. No matter how much it may hurt initially, it makes us stronger in the end.

The Road Not Taken

I love this poem and I wanted to share...

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Robert Frost

The Road Not Taken ..Woodstock Vermont

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

The Hamptons

Next stop on Golden Boy II's summer 2008 itinerary was the Hamptons. I was definitely excited about this stop! We docked the boat in Sag Harbor. It was an ideal location because we were close to the golf courses, but also fairly close to the Long Island Wine Country.

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to tag along when the captain took the Mr. (the owner) to tour the North Fork Wine Trail. I really couldn't believe that I had been invited to go with them. I love going to Napa and Sonoma, so this was right up my ally. To get there we had to take a ferry across the bay. This was yet another new experience for me.

A ferry taking passengers across the bay

Once we arrived in North Fork we visited three or four wineries. North Fork's wine region is unparalleled to Napa and Sonoma's wine regions. This is what I love about traveling. I love discovering things on my own. Forming my own opinions from my experiences, not taking someone else's word for it. This is why I find travel to be so rewarding. It pushes you to think for yourself. To get out there, to wonder, to feel, to ask, to taste, to see, to touch, to experience so many new and different things. Traveling really is the best education.

There was one winery in particular that I enjoyed, Corey Creek. It had the best atmosphere of all of the wineries we visited. Their vineyard was gorgeous.

25 Things About Me...

I posted this on my facebook account and I figured I would post it on my blog as well. Enjoy.

1. This isn't what I had imagined my life would be. And I wouldn't change a single thing.

2. Pretty much every morning I wake up and can't believe that I live and work on a yacht in St. Maarten.

3. I have the most amazing friends EVER. Not a day goes by that i don't appreciate and realize how lucky I am to be blessed with such great friends.

4. I love the 80's. The music. The movies. The attire. But I love it for what it was. I understand that it was great then. We don't need to try to bring it back again.

5. I'm an only child. My parents achieved perfection on the first try.

6. Some days I feel lost; others not at all. But I'm happy. Eventually I want to get another degree because I miss school. Any ideas what I should go for the next time around?!

7. I REALLY want to take a scuba course. I'm actually researching one this very moment. I have a date with slammin sammy this summer involving some serious diving (I hope!).

8. I love music. I think everything is better with some music in the background. In fact, I work better/more efficiently when I am rocking out to pretty much anything.

9. I almost got married. That seems like a lifetime ago. Now I am terrified of getting married. I wonder if I will ever have the desire again now that I am really getting to know myself and beginning to understand what I want in life.

10. I used to live in Las Vegas. I have a love/hate relationship with that city.

11. My favorite foods are Indian and Thai.

12. My Mom and I are very close. She is my best friend.

13. I used to have a dog named Chicken. He was the best dog EVER and I miss him so much.

14. I really want to learn Spanish. I hope to either live in Spain or Costa Rica for 6 months so that I will become fluent.

15. I have so many hopes and aspirations for my life that there is no way that I can possibly achieve it all. But one can try!

16. My Dad recently pursued his dream to open a wine bar. I am so happy for him and proud of him. I hope to visit the bar one day fairly soon!

17. My birthday is March 17, St. Patrick's Day. Best birthday EVER!

18. I'm hoping to take the jet skis out on my day off. But I'm a little nervous about all of these brown jellyfish I keep seeing in the water. Anyone been stung by one of these bad boys? I just want to know what I'm up against here.

19. I REALLY want to get a tattoo. I know what I want. But still can't figure out exactly where to get it...

20. I wonder where I will live when I decide to settle down again. *If* I decide to settle down again.

21. I do plan to buy a house somewhere rad someday. That way I can trade homes with my friends from all over the world. It will be a great way to vacation. Anyone else in?! I know you are Ash!

22. I have learned a lot of life lessons this past year. My new mantra is to live with passion and without regret. It seems to be working well for me.

23. Travel is very important to me. It is an integral part of my life and I encourage everyone to do more of it!

24. I have a blog about my travels. And I have been SO bad about updating it. I really must get on top of it.

25. I HATE pickles. Blech!

Monday, February 16, 2009

Essex, Connecticut

Sunrise in Essex

Before setting foot on Golden Boy II I had never heard of Essex. When I was informed that it was on our itinerary I was intrigued because I had never been to Connecticut. Upon our arrival I was instantly love-struck with the quaintness of the town. The surrounding countryside was covered in a layer of green. Nestled in amongst the scenery were summer cottages dating back hundreds of years. Walking the streets of Essex was like exploring a US history museum.

Swans swimming with a windmill in the distance


As I walked and explored the enchanting little town I stumbled across incredible parks, ponds, churches, and even graveyards. Everything about this place was perfect. Nothing was askew; everything was just in its place. It seemed as though it was out of a story book.

I loved this park

Cemetery

One evening I was able to get away with the captain and the chef to have a drink and experience Essex nightlife. However, there really wasn't much of an Essex nightlife. It was very low key, but the locals were very friendly.

Church

Our time in Essex was short-lived, but I left with fond memories. There is a good chance that I never would have been to Essex if it weren't for my stop there while working on Golden Boy. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to explore Essex and I hope to visit again one day.


Friday, December 5, 2008

She works hard for the money!

The boat didn't stay in Newport, New Jersey for long. While we were there I didn't get much of an opportunity to go and do a great deal since I was pretty busy training. I did get off of the boat a couple of times when I had a bit of a break, but it usually wasn't much more than a couple of hours. Many of the times that I did get a break I would spend it napping. With live-aboard owners I worked very long days seven days a week. In the yachting industry 18+ hour workdays aren't uncommon. Live-aboard owners, however, are more uncommon. My boat was a bit of a unique situation.

Our next destination was Essex, Connecticut. When I had taken the job on Golden Boy II it was a month-long freelance position. Their itinerary wasn't my ideal itinerary, but it was a great opportunity for me to get some experience which was great for my CV. When I first got into yachting it was my dream to get on a boat anywhere but the US. Looking back, I am glad that I was able to spend my summer traveling up and down the East Coast. I had the opportunity to travel to some charming places, many of which I hope to go back and visit again one day.